YOKOHAMA: THE FOUR SEASONS OF SANKIEN

THE FOUR SEASONS OF SANKIEN

Sankei-en Garden. Hara Sankei, a businessman who made a fortune with the Japanese silk trade, opened the vast classical Japanese garden covering over 175,000 square meters and is located facing the Tokyo Bay.The construction started in 1902 and took 20 years to complete. It is comprised of 2 gardens: the outer garden that became public in 1906 and the inner garden that was for Sankei's private use. Sankei was also known for his connection with great artists and literary figures, to this day, the garden serves as a place to develop modern Japanese culture including art, literature, and Chanoyu (of the tea ceremony ritual).

The garden was so spacious and the summer sun made it a humid, yet pleasantvisit. Some very picturesque ponds and bridges and old summer houses, all of which merit a trip in their own right, but then at the very end, part of our group swung by a thatched farmhouse that’s something like 250 years old, relocated from a more northern part of Japan. The whole place kitted out with tatami and work supplies for making bean paste and raising silkworms, all of which looked very authentic and well cared for as the house.

The garden is famous seasonal viewing spots of plum and cherry blossoms, azaleas, and autumn leaves.

Places to Visit

The Outer Garden :

The 3 storied Pagoda, it was relocated from Tomyoji- Temple in Kyoto and has been the main attraction with its many seasonal flowers.

The Inner Garden

The landscape includes Rinshunkaku, a historic building built in the 17th century during the Edo Period. It is often compared to the world famous Katsura Rikyu palace in Kyoto

The Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese take this part of their culture very seriously. You might say it is not your cup of tea (pun intended) but once you see the meticulous effort put into every bowl of matcha tea, you will have a more profound respect for this part of the Japanese culture.

Yokohama has more to offer than your normal city, from architectural wonders to antique finds to nature walks and incredible shopping experiences. With so many attractions and treats to indulge in, take the time to plan your visit so you can get the full Yokohama experience.

Additional Information:

How to Get there.

From Yokohama Station - Take bus number 8 or 125 from the station's east exit to Honmoku Sankeien-mae (35 minutes) from where Sankeien is another five minutes by foot.

From Negishi Station - It is a ten-minute bus ride by line number 54, 58, 99, 101 or 108 to Honmoku. From there, Sankeien is another 5-10 minutes by foot. Alternatively, you can walk from Negishi Station to Sankeien in about 30-45 minutes or take a taxi (about 1000 yen one way).